Pensions consulting

A joined-up approach to actuarial advice

We create tailored, sustainable and pragmatic solutions that let pension scheme trustees and CFOs mitigate risks and plan the future direction of their defined benefit (DB) pension schemes.

Scheme trustees and sponsoring employers often have different objectives. We help both parties work together in a collaborative approach. And we collaborate internally too. Our actuarial consultants work closely with our pension administration and technology specialists so that our clients get more joined-up, efficient and cost-effective advice.

Journey planning and long-term pensions strategy

When your governance costs are disproportionately high or a governance burden is looming, it can make sense to have your scheme’s assets and liabilities bought by an insurer, so that you can wind it up and reduce your risks.

Our strong reputation, flexible approach and high completion rate – combined with our pensions management expertise and analytics software – mean that we can support you all the way from journey planning to post-transaction, helping you to get your scheme ready for buy-out, identifying the best time to sell, and successfully completing the transaction with an insurer.

De-risking and liability management-advice

The long-term goals of your pension arrangements will dictate almost every scheme decision you need to make with your scheme. We create bespoke strategies for schemes of all sizes that acknowledge their unique differences. We deliver with the right advice and guidance to trustees and scheme sponsors at every step of the way.

GMP equalisation and conversion exercises

The Guaranteed Minimum Pension (GMP) has continued to add complexity to those involved in pensions. The 2018 Lloyds judgement on GMP equalisation confirmed that how you do this still remains a decision for individual schemes. We have helped over 100 schemes to work through GMP exercises.

Integrated risk management services

We understand two of your biggest challenges are defining timescales and controlling costs over the long term. Our pragmatic approach ensures that costs are fixed, and realistic timescales are set from the start. With us, you will have access to the tools you need to manage risk, reduce funding volatility, and safeguard your members’ benefits in a way that you can understand and afford.

Tracking of funding position or balancing risk and reward in investment strategy

We develop investment strategies that work in tandem with your funding strategy to deliver your long-term objectives and comply with the pensions regulator’s integrated risk management framework.

Our investment consultants work with you, side-by-side, to ensure your scheme has the right balance of risks and costs for all stakeholders, and that the investment strategy supports the funding strategy and long-term objectives.

We offer a joined-up approach across our actuarial and investment teams who use the same pension analytics platform (PFaroe) to deliver dynamic monitoring and ongoing review in the following areas:

• Integrated funding and risk management
• Investment strategy review
• Manager selection
• Review of performance by asset-class
• SIP review
• Daily monitoring with triggers
• Environmental, social & governance (ESG) policy review
• Investment governance
• Regular cashflow advice
• Financial reporting